The Queen's English: Applying The Standards
- 1.
Which statement provides an objective summary of the selection?
- A.
The English language is spoken by half a billion people in the world and originated in Germany.
- B.
Modern English is considered the most widely used language in the world.
- C.
The English language is the world’s most documented language because of the large number of English language dictionaries.
- D.
The English language has a long history of including words from many languages and continues to evolve to meet the requirements of an ever-changing world.
Correct Answer
D. The English language has a long history of including words from many languages and continues to evolve to meet the requirements of an ever-changing world.Explanation
The answer provides an objective summary of the selection by stating that the English language has a long history of incorporating words from various languages and continues to adapt to the changing needs of the world. This summary accurately captures the main points mentioned in the selection without any subjective opinions or biases.Rate this question:
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- 2.
How does the author unfold her ideas in the first paragraph?
- A.
By describing the environment in which the English language was created
- B.
By describing the history of the English language in random order
- C.
By stating statistical information on how many people speak English
- D.
By listing ethnic groups that speak English
Correct Answer
A. By describing the environment in which the English language was createdExplanation
In the first paragraph, the author unfolds her ideas by describing the environment in which the English language was created. This means that the author provides details and information about the conditions and circumstances that influenced the development of the English language. This approach helps to set the context and foundation for further discussion and exploration of the topic.Rate this question:
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- 3.
What does the phrase “a troublesome group of words that don’t behave” mean?
- A.
The words are irritating.
- B.
The words are misunderstood.
- C.
The words follow no established rules.
- D.
The words create problems.
Correct Answer
C. The words follow no established rules.Explanation
The phrase "a troublesome group of words that don't behave" means that the words do not follow any established rules. This implies that they are difficult to understand or interpret because they do not conform to the expected patterns or structures.Rate this question:
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- 4.
According to the selection, why is English one of the world’s most well-documented languages?
- A.
It is a blend of so many other languages.
- B.
There have been many publications of dictionaries.
- C.
There are about 200,000 words in everyday use.
- D.
It is spoken by a half billion people.
Correct Answer
B. There have been many publications of dictionaries.Explanation
English is one of the world's most well-documented languages because there have been many publications of dictionaries. Dictionaries serve as comprehensive references for the language, documenting its vocabulary, grammar, and usage. These publications provide a wealth of information and contribute to the extensive documentation of the English language.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Why was Webster unable to convince people to accept his spellings of certain words?
- A.
He was inaccurate with many of his spellings.
- B.
People were unable to understand the words.
- C.
He was not a good salesman of his ideas.
- D.
The Queen did not agree with his spellings.
Correct Answer
C. He was not a good salesman of his ideas.Explanation
Webster was unable to convince people to accept his spellings of certain words because he was not a good salesman of his ideas. This suggests that Webster lacked the persuasive skills necessary to effectively communicate and convince others of the validity and benefits of his proposed spellings. Despite potentially having accurate spellings, his inability to effectively convey the value of his ideas hindered his success in convincing others to adopt his spellings.Rate this question:
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- 6.
What does the author mean by linguistic as used in the sentence below?“We hang on to many of our oddest spellings because, for one thing, they reflect the English language’s far-reaching linguistic ancestry.”
- A.
Using a dialect
- B.
Pertaining to grammar
- C.
Using jargon
- D.
Pertaining to language
Correct Answer
D. Pertaining to languageExplanation
The author uses the term "linguistic" to mean "pertaining to language" in the sentence. The author suggests that the reason why certain odd spellings are still used in English is because they reflect the language's extensive linguistic ancestry. This implies that the spellings are influenced by the historical development and evolution of the English language, making them an important part of its linguistic heritage.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Which statement supports the author’s claim below? “English is often accused of being an impossibly complicated language, horribly difficult for nonnative speakers to learn.”
- A.
“. . . Modern English, the most widely used language in the world.”
- B.
“The problems lie in the final 3 percent, a small but troublesome group of words that don’t behave in any predictable fashion and simply have to be committed to memory.”
- C.
“English is probably the world’s most well-documented language. . .”
- D.
"English is its willingness to embrace words from just about anywhere.”
Correct Answer
B. “The problems lie in the final 3 percent, a small but troublesome group of words that don’t behave in any predictable fashion and simply have to be committed to memory.”Explanation
The statement "The problems lie in the final 3 percent, a small but troublesome group of words that don’t behave in any predictable fashion and simply have to be committed to memory" supports the author's claim that English is often accused of being an impossibly complicated language. It suggests that there is a small group of words in English that are difficult to learn because they do not follow any predictable patterns and need to be memorized. This supports the idea that English is seen as difficult for nonnative speakers to learn.Rate this question:
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- 8.
How does the author prove her claim that English users resist simplifying English spelling?
- A.
She uses examples of English and American spelling.
- B.
She uses examples of spelling changes that people did not receive well.
- C.
She explains how some words derive from foreign languages.
- D.
She explains how language users dislike dictionary writers.
Correct Answer
B. She uses examples of spelling changes that people did not receive well.Explanation
The author proves her claim that English users resist simplifying English spelling by using examples of spelling changes that people did not receive well. This suggests that when attempts have been made to simplify English spelling, users have resisted and not accepted these changes. By highlighting instances where people have reacted negatively to spelling changes, the author supports the claim that English users are resistant to simplifying English spelling.Rate this question:
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- 9.
How does paragraph 5 refine the author’s idea?
- A.
It gives the cause of a problem and then the solution.
- B.
It spatially arranges the information, beginning in Europe and moving to Asia.
- C.
It provides a fact and then gives an example.
- D.
It presents dialogue from well-known dictionary creators and language experts.
Correct Answer
C. It provides a fact and then gives an example.Explanation
Paragraph 5 refines the author's idea by providing a fact and then giving an example. This suggests that the author is using evidence to support their argument and strengthen their point. By presenting a fact, the author establishes credibility and adds weight to their argument. The example further solidifies the author's point by providing a specific instance that supports their claim. Overall, this approach enhances the author's idea by providing both factual information and a concrete example to support it.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 18, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Oct 09, 2017Quiz Created by
Sandra
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